In an effort to gain momentum for DARPA's (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Adaptive Vehicle Make (AVM) program, the Applied Research Lab at Pennsylvania State University has adopted aPriori's Product Cost Management software platform for their CIMP-3D (Center for Innovative Metal Processing by Direct Digital Deposition) facility.

The aPriori PCMP allows companies to gain automated, real-time manufacturing/materials costs and manpower impact for products ranging from development all the way through to production with what the company states is "a new level of precision over the inefficient methods employed today." The software platform can determine the precise cost of a product based on CAD models, the materials needed/used, as well as the actual factory where the production is to take place.

The end-goal of companies using aPriori is to reduce developmental, production, and material/labor costs, and the time it takes to get the end result to the market quickly and efficiently.

The aPriori Geometric Cost Drivers fit with most popular CAD software packages. This particular example shows the cost breakdown of the sample part. (Source: aPriori)

The Applied Research Lab is set to use the aPriori platform as a back-end solution to save time and production costs, as researchers develop advanced material systems for DARPA's Adaptive Vehicle Make initiative. The lab plans on implementing the "cost-management" software in conjunction with a new CIMP-3D fabrication facility in an effort to supply DARPA with DDM (Direct Digital Manufacturing) technology, which will facilitate the development of new advanced weapons systems and combat vehicles. According to a recent press release from PSU, the new facility will provide a central location for researchers of different engineering backgrounds to bring together all facets of DDM tech (analysis, simulation, manufacturing, and characterization), enabling the efficient development of on-demand new metallic materials, designs, and components for inclusion into DARPA's AVM project.

While we may never hear about the work and development being done for DARPA by Penn State's Applied Research Lab, the ability to reduce time, materials costs, and manufacturing optimization using the aPriori software platform will ensure that those projects will be completed at an efficient rate. All the greatest tools the world can offer in a nurturing development environment -- my expectations are high.

Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are getting ready to explode onto the market and it appears all the heavy tech companies are trying to out-develop one another with better features than their competition. Fledgling start-up Vrvana has joined the fray.

A Tokyo company, Miraisens Inc., has unveiled a device that allows users to move virtual 3D objects around and "feel" them via a vibration sensor. The device has many applications within the gaming, medical, and 3D-printing industries.

While every company might have their own solution for PLM, Aras Innovator 10 intends to make PLM easier for all company sizes through its customization. The program is also not resource intensive, which allows it to be appropriated for any use. Some have even linked it to the Raspberry Pi.

solidThinking updated its Inspire program with a multitude of features to expedite the conception and prototype process. The latest version lets users blend design with engineering and manufacturing constraints to produce the cheapest, most efficient design before production.

Focus on Fundamentals consists of 45-minute on-line classes that cover a host of technologies. You learn without leaving the comfort of your desk. All classes are taught by subject-matter experts and all are archived. So if you can't attend live, attend at your convenience.